Ford E-News - Oct. 21, 2009

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 21, 2009 -- Ford, U of M join forces to fast-track hybrid development

By combining the brains of Ford Motor Company and the University of Michigan, future hybrid vehicles will be to market even faster, thanks to new research to speed development of advanced hybrid vehicle technology. By working with U of M, Ford - with four hybrid vehicles on sale - is testing half a million design simulations of hybrid vehicle control systems a week, a development speed that would not otherwise be possible. Along with fast-tracking development, the partnership will lead to improved vehicle fuel efficiency and performance. more...

  Alan Hall |  ahall32@ford.com  |  313.594.3744

  Ford truck dominance in Texas still strong

Truck owners in Texas demand the best, and Ford delivers say auto writers in Texas. The 2010 Ford F-150, powered by the all-new SVT Raptor, was named "2009 Truck of Texas" by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA), the seventh consecutive time a Ford F-Series truck has won the award. F-150 SVT Raptor also was named best "Full-size Pickup Truck" and Ford trucks took the overall "Line of Texas" award. more...

  Anne Marie Gattari |  agattari@ford.com  |  313.323.7809

  Goggle-eyed researchers help drivers keep eyes on road

Ford researchers are using high-tech goggles that measure the amount of time drivers take their eyes off the road to help validate in-vehicle technologies such as GPS navigation systems. The special "occlusion" goggles are used in testing at Ford's Human Machine Interface Verification Laboratory - or "Distraction Lab." Ford engineers and technologists use the data to accelerate the safer design of telematics systems that keep drivers connected and informed. more...

  Wes Sherwood |  wsherwoo@ford.com  |  313.390.5660

  Passion to drive new Fusion auto relay race

Are you passionate about your 2010 Ford Fusion or Fusion Hybrid? Do you have a compelling desire and ability to spread the word through social media? If so, you may be eligible to participate in "Fusion 41," an automotive relay race for Fusion owners designed to build excitement around the all-new Ford Fusion. This unique consumer engagement program is an extension of Ford's Drive One advertising campaign, and Fusion owners can apply at www.fusion41.com. more...

  Angie Kozleski |  akozlesk@ford.com  |  313.323.1984

  SYNC front and center with Best Buy Mobile partnership, new ad campaign

Ford and Best Buy have teamed up to show consumers why SYNCŪ is the industry-leading in-car communications system - and how easy it is to use. Through Best Buy Mobile, the retailer will offer thousands of specially trained associates to help explain what Ford SYNC is capable of, how to use it, and which phones are compatible. To boost SYNC awareness further, Ford also launched a new SYNC campaign called "SYNC: Say the Word," targeting young, tech-savvy drivers and featuring robotic "voice agents" that act as personal assistants as voice commands are activated. more...

  Sunok Pak |  spak1@ford.com |  415.216.5528

  Pro football fans rally around 2010 Taurus during House Party events

On Sunday, nearly 20,000 pro football fans in 45 states spent game day with family and friends - and the 2010 Ford Taurus. It was all part of Taurus Game Day House Party(TM), an event sponsored by Ford and Houseparty.com, a leading social media marketing company, as part of a multifaceted advertising campaign. The events were publicized on a special Taurus "party page" sponsored by Houseparty.com. more...

Marisa Bradley | mbradl31@ford.com | 313.845.3971

Wayne State University, Ford unit offer entrepreneurial "opportunity of a lifetime"

With a yearlong fellowship created by the teaming of academia and business, Wayne State University announces a partnership with Ford Global Technologies LLC (FGTL), a Ford subsidiary. The recipient will work with an experienced FGTL entrepreneur to commercialize and license select innovative technologies and intellectual property developed by Ford. The fellow will also be able to "rub shoulders" and build relationships with key managers of Fortune 500 companies, various government agencies and capital venture fund managers. The opportunity to explore creation of a spinoff company to produce, market and sell a product exists. more...

  Kenneth Hsu |  khsu1@ford.com  |  313.322.1251

  Giving the gift of green

Smith College and Ford recently celebrated the dedication of Ford Hall, a $73 million, 140,000-square-foot "green"-certified facility that serves as home for the college's Picker Engineering Program and computer science, chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology curricula. Ford Hall incorporates green roofs, porous pavement, vegetated swales, environmentally responsible mechanical systems and the use of a combined heat and power cogeneration system. more...

  Jennifer Moore |  jmoor186@ford.com  |  313.248.2335

  About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company , a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 201,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

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